Researchers at George Mason University found that a giant “magnetic rope” made up of twisting magnetic field lines could produce the strong electric currents that trigger solar storms. Due to the twisting, a strong electric current can be carried by the magnetic rope. Theoretically, the electric current could produce enough electromagnetic force to overcome the overlying constraining force from other field lines and power the magnetic rope to move outward.The researchers used data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to study the magnetic rope phenomenon. Scientists have predicted that this rope is the cause of violent eruptions on the sun, but have previously struggled to prove its existence because of how quickly it moves.Learn more from MSNBC.
Giant “Magnetic Rope” Found to Spark Solar Storms
